State issues RFP for two Brooklyn sites.

Empire State Development Corp. chairman Charles A. Gargano announced the release of a request for proposals for the purchase and development of two state-owned sites totaling 160,000 SF located on two blocks between Schermerhorn and State Street, east of Smith Street in Brooklyn. Responses to the RFP are due on Oct. 12.

Last year ESD, New York State's lead privatization agency, offered an 18,000 SF site on Smith Street for sale through a similar RFP process. In June, Governor George E. Pataki announced the selection of the proposal submitted by Shaya B. Developers, Inc, for a mixed-use building including a new facility for the Brooklyn Central YMCA.

Gargano said, "Six years ago, Governor Pataki instituted privatization as one of his administration's main economic development strategies. Thanks to his leadership, the support of Borough President Golden and the cooperation of the Community Task Force, we now look to sell the remaining two state-owned parking lots and link downtown Brooklyn with 'brownstone Brooklyn'.

In 1974, ESD acquired three parcels of vacant land near downtown Brooklyn from the City of New York as part of the Schermerhorn-Pacific Urban Renewal Project. Changes in the availability of housing subsidies as well as community opposition to the original project prevented development from taking place. Several subsequent proposals have been entertained, however, none were realized. Since 1977, ESD has leased the sites for short-term surface parking.

Borough President Howard Golden said, "I have been pleased to work with Governor Pataki and Empire State Development Corporation in developing plans for the productive re-use of these three state-owned properties in Downtown Brooklyn.

The sale of the first of these strategically-located sites was announced in June, and I look forward to the same successful result as proposals are received for the two remaining properties."

The RFP sets forth development design and use guidelines, developed by ESD working with Brooklyn Borough President Howard Golden and the Hoyt-Schermerhorn Community Task Force, to. attract residential and commercial development at these sites which are located over the subway tracks. The Task Force's design

guidelines incorporated into the RFP include sensitive development near the historic buildings of State Street as well as ground floor retail and street tree planting along Smith Street.

In 1998, the Brooklyn Borough President's office organized the Hoyt-Schermerhorn Community Task Force to study and recommend a plan for the productive reuse of the parking lot sites.

To obtain the RFP, interested parties may contact Carol Berens at [phone].